Richie McCaw will become the first New Zealander to win 100 caps when he leads the All Blacks against France at Eden Park on Saturday, 10 years after making his debut. Graham Henry has chosen his strongest available side for the encounter against a nation who have beaten the All Blacks twice in World Cups, with Israel Dagg preferred to the 98-cap Mils Muliaina at full-back.

"We have picked a side to face France and it is a very good one," said Henry. "We had a long discussion about full-back and there was a lot of emotion involved in the selection. We are very conscious of what Mils has done for New Zealand rugby and we would like him to get to 100 caps, but the team has to come first."

Dan Carter returns from a back injury, which he said he is not quite over, to steer the side from outside-half and McCaw, who was due to win his 100th cap last week against Japan before pulling out, will reach the landmark in front of a sell-out 60,000 crowd.

The coach said he did not think France were fielding a below-strength team because they would prefer to finish second in the group and have a potentially less hazardous route to the final. "The side contains 642 caps and it is a strong one," said Henry. "They have a mature, physical pack and some outstanding talent behind. Our history against them shows the challenge we face and that will provide us with an edge."

New Zealand have twice lost to France under Henry, the first time in 2007 when the All Blacks exited the World Cup at the quarter-final stage, the first time they had failed to reach the last four in the tournament. "Contrary to reports, we have not watched a rerun of that game this week," said Henry, "but we will do so in the knock-out stage. I learned a lot from that experience, not least that a World Cup is different to any other tournament or series of matches, such as a grand slam tour.

"My focus was always to prepare for each game and not look any further ahead but teams play with a higher intensity and with more emotion in a World Cup. It is a huge tournament and you cannot afford to take it match by match. 2007 caused us a lot of pain and I do not want to go through that again."